As far as rivalries go, North-South matchups are among the best. So when the Knight and Pirate field hockey teams were set to go head to head in the Mercer County Tournament semifinal, both sides expected an intense, tight game. North, the eighth seed, was 10-5 going into the game and was coming off of two victories, one in the state tournament and one in the Mercer County Tournament, over top-seeded teams. South was 13-3 and seeded fifth.
Their first meeting earlier in the season ended in a close 2-1 victory for South. This time South blanked North 4-0 in the October 26 game, moving on to play Lawrenceville in the championship match.
“North is such a huge game for us because it’s for the finals, and it’s against our rivals,” goalkeeper Emily Kramer said, adding that this is the furthest the Pirates have advanced since she joined the team four years ago.
Despite how the game ended, North showed the first signs of aggression. Led by Jeanine Lennon and Catherine Mak, the Knights put immediate pressure on Kramer and the rest of the South defense. They came close to scoring several times within the first five minutes, but the Pirates spoiled each of their chances.
“Emily is a true leader,” head coach Christine Cabarle said. “She has been absolutely amazing all year. She has the physical ability and the mentality that you want in the cage.”
With 20 minutes remaining in the first half, Rachel Salerno found the back of the cage after assists from Colby Hussong and Yun-Ah Park, putting South up 1-0.
Kramer said that an early score takes some of the pressure off of her — but only a little bit. “It’s not that I have any leeway,” she said, “but I have that comfort of knowing that they can score and they can produce offense and that they’re going to have my back if I mess up.”
North goalkeeper Kristina Hoyduchok also made several key saves, including one huge diving stop about a quarter of the way through the match.
South remained aggressive, though, and it paid off when Cassie Perez launched a shot into the North net four minutes before the end of the half.
After halftime, South was able to capitalize again. With just under 17 minutes remaining in the game, Park scored, this time on an assist from Salerno, who made her presence known that night. “Rachel is a natural-born leader,” Cabarle said. “She’s very talented. She’s extremely quick, and she’s a team player.”
Despite being in a 3-0 hole, North stayed focused, which was a positive that head coach Shannon Maruca took away from the game. South just seemed to stop their momentum each time they got something going. “I’m still very proud of my girls,” Maruca said.
Even after North’s Olivia Harpel was penalized with a yellow card with about eight minutes left, leaving the Knights down a player, they stuck with South’s every move.
Perhaps they stayed a little too close. With six to go, Hussong was awarded — and easily converted — a penalty shot, to bring the score to 4-0 and give the Pirates a little insurance.
Hussong, who is in her first year with South after transferring from Hopewell, has been a key player for the team all season. She leads the Pirates in goals and assists with 20 in each category.
The victory was sweet, especially for Cabarle. “The girls have worked really hard,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier for them. They were well-prepared in today’s game.”
Following the semifinal, both North and South were still embattled in state tournament contention. North’s quarterfinal game against East Brunswick has yet to be scheduled.
South lost to Hunterdon Central 4-1 on November 6 in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 quarterfinal game. But South’s season is not over, though. Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Mercer County Tournament final against Lawrenceville still has not been scheduled, and the Pirates are looking forward to playing.
